What is TRUE Integrity

Webster's Dictionary defines the word integrity as "firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values." The Biblical definition of integrity is to "be complete or to be upright." Recently my Father In Law, Johnny, ran in the mayoral election in Jasper. Unfortunately, Johnny was not successful in becoming Jasper's next mayor. But, as I watched Johnny's reaction at each stage of news he received I quickly realized how successful he really was! I saw first hand the definition of integrity! Johnny was successful in running a CLEAN race by being honest, trustworthy, and certainly NOT obnoxious!
Later that night, after putting Sarah Catherine to bed, I told Marc how proud I was to be apart of his family and that I respected his Dad even more for handling himself with TRUE INTEGRITY and Grace! Jim, Staci, Marc and myself are so blessed our children have a Papa that sets such a wonderful example for them! We love you Papa!

A Sigh Of Relief

Monday my Mother went with me to my second OB appointment. I was nervous about hearing a heartbeat, seeing as my last visit we were not even able to see the baby. I know God's will is perfect, but when it comes to our children it can be even harder to understand! As I waited for the sonographer to enter the room I prayed for God's mercy and protection! Not only did he give me both He also gave me comfort! Within just a few seconds I heard the sonographer say "We have a heartbeat!" I cannot express the amount of weight that was lifted from my shoulders! She told me to hold my breath and then we heard a beautiful little heartbeat (or heart beep as Sarah Catherine calls it)! Walking to the nurses station I was overwhelmed with emotion.. The floodgates opened! Of course they were tears of happiness (I am pregnant and hormonal :) ) !! My next appointment is September 28, Sarah Catherine's 6th birthday! More updates to come!!

What A WEEK!!!

Wow!! What a BUSY week this has been!!! With Sarah Catherine starting Kindergarten and Marc working in Opelika for the week I took on the roll of single parent. Let me just say I have a whole new respect for single parents out there! Tuesday I received wonderful news that my blood work came back and my levels had more than doubled!!! This news was a true answer to prayer! I have an appointment next Monday, and we are continuing to pray for a healthy baby! Sarah Catherine had a great first week at Kindergarten! She loves her teacher and is already making new friends and being a helper to Ms. Lay (which is right up her ally). This being the last week before preschool begins I was able to get a lot of cleaning done. A big shout out to my sweet friend Stephanie Burnam and our cousin Patrick for helping me clean out the baby's room!! After four trips to the basement and three trips to the Jimmie Hale Mission I was able to organize closets and cabinets! I know Stephanie probably thought she was on a bad episode of Hoarders (without the bugs of course). I just didnt realize how hard it was to get rid of Sarah Catherine's Preschool work. I love going to my Aunt Cathy's (especially around the holiday's) and seeing how she can still bring out my cousin Joel's artwork for that particular holiday or season. I think it is a wonderful way to reminisce and also be festive! Nevertheless I was able to let go and let Stephanie do her thing!! I am so happy with the way things look and I look forward to finding out the sex of the baby so the decorating can begin!

Sarah Catherine's First Day of Kindergarten

I never thought I would be so thankful for Sarah Catherine's preschool experience at First United Methodist Church as I was the first day of kindergarten! As the three year old teacher I am a little bias to our preschool, but we couldn't have asked for a better experience for our daughter! It totally prepared her for this day, and for that matter, this year!
I thought trying to wake Sarah Catherine up was going to be the hard part.. WRONG!! Watching my bright eyed baby sit at that red table playing blocks, totally confident in her surroundings, was probably the toughest part. She didn't need mommy to stay with her! She was ready
to start her day with her teacher and her new classmates. I was so thankful for the independence that preschool taught her! She had a wonderful first day of school!

Psalm 9:10

Yesterday I went to my first OB appointment. Although I was running on pure adrenaline the whole week in anticipation for Thursday, I was still nervous something may not be exactly right with the pregnancy. It always seems satan takes my worries and feeds me more doubt. After entering the sonar room I prayed for comfort. We saw the amniotic sack and the yolk sack, but no baby. The doctor told me not to worry! He said that the technology in the home pregnancy tests are much more advance than the sonar machines. He also informed me I may not be as far along as I originally thought. I was instructed to make another appointment for Monday to check my HCG level and compare to Thursdays levels (which were over 7,000). He said we are looking for these numbers to double or triple.
Waking up Friday this scripture was in my daily devotion I receive through email: Those who know your name trust you, O Lord, because you have never deserted those who seek your help." Psalm 9:10 I love how God speaks to me through His word! He never deserts me and always comforts me in my time of need! I know that no matter what happens with my HCG levels or the pregnancy in general, God is in control! Please pray for HIGH HCG levels on Monday!

Is that Phil Robertson???

Today Marc, Sarah Catherine, and I had the pleasure of going with our dear friends, The Rhodes, to Decatur for the 75th Ducks Unlimited Anniversary. Normally I would not be interested in the least in going to these sort of functions, but when I heard Phil Robertson, The Duck Commander, was going to be there I was psyched! All I had to do was talk Katie into going (who also would rather be in her PJ's watching housewives.. Or better yet Hutterites.. Wink wink). After replaying my official meeting, to the BIG duck Commander, in my head I was quickly sent back to reality when I realized that about 2,000 other people shared my same dream. Nevertheless I did get some distant pictures of him and Ms. Kay!!! Listening to Phil preach was a blessing! Not at all what I expected to hear. I know they end every episode around the dinner table having prayer as a family, but I had no idea how on fire for God he really is!
We had a wonderful time watching the kids play and even made it through breaking the bad news to Sarah Catherine and Tucker that we didn't win the 2 ton playhouse (seemed like I was not the only one with crushed dreams for the day ;) ) All in all it was a wonderful day with wonderful friends! The weather was PERFECT and the entertainment was great! Definitely do it again.. Maybe they will send Uncle Si next time!!

Great News!!

VIRGINIA OR BUST

My mom, Sarah Catherine, and I are on our way back from Lynchburg, VA visiting my brother, Jason, and his family! Seeing as Sarah Catherine and I hadn't been in 5 years, we were well overdue. Like any vacation, preparation is part of the excitement (for me anyway.. just another way to put my organizational skills to work) but, the 10 hour trip is complete torture at about the 8th hour especially!!

After our arrival and hugging my big brother and sweet sister in law I saw my little nephew, Jaxon, who had grown a foot and is the exact replica of his daddy at that age! He was so excited to see us he began to run around showing us his spiderman act ( again just like his dad, except instead of spiderman it was star wars). I stood there for a minute pondering his life and what a blessing it truly is! I was so grateful for the time Sarah Catherine and Jaxon were able to spend playing and, more importantly, bonding. After resting, eating at some very good restaurants, cooking a home cooked meal for J, and having overdue playtime with my little nephew the 4 days, that took me 2 weeks to prepare for, was over in a snap! As my mom and I gathered our things and got an early start home, on this early Sunday morning, we prayed for a safe trip home and for God to bless Jason and his family! Driving down the interstate I look in my rear view mirror and see massive mountains that meet a sky that looks like it is on fire. Gods beautiful artwork (which still baffles me that people can see the same thing and not believe in our Lord). Jus as excited as we were to visit Virginia we are just as excited to head back to Sweet Home Alabama!